Communications of the ACM
Stimulus Could Boost It Job Prospects
The overall outlook for IT employment in 2009 is mixed, but some analysts say the U.S. federal economic stimulus package could add IT positions. Compared to jobs in general, IT jobs are relatively safe from the economic crisis, says analyst David Foote. Although 853,000 jobs were lost in all industries in October and November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 9,000 jobs were gained in the "Computer Systems Design and Related Services" and "Management and Technical Consulting Services" categories, Foote says.
JobFox CEO Robert J. McGovern says that hundreds of thousands of tech jobs will be created by the federal stimulus. Major portions of the stimulus package will be used to build infrastructure such as bridges and roads, and to expand broadband availability, so IT professionals should focus on demonstrating to employers how their skills can be applied in these areas. Construction companies and engineering firms will likely seek proficiency in computer-aided design and telecommunications, while alternative energy and healthcare modernization companies will need IT professionals with skills in bioinformatics, information security, and software development. McGovern says regulatory compliance also may become an area with more jobs. The Obama administration is expected to quickly expand regulatory controls, particularly in financial services. Foote says some of the hottest areas over the next two years will be business analysis, financial and human resources applications, program management, and applications development.
From Computerworld
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